Hara Hara Shankara, Jaya Jaya Shankara

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

We had the opportunity of conducting the upanayanam of
our younger son in the last week of April. I consider it a blessing to conduct
for my son at a tender age of 7. My elder one had his, at the age of 8. All
this is due to our kanchi periva’s blessing. In this post, I would like to
elaborate about the importance of upanayanam and gayathri. Although, I am not
an authority in it, I am writing this with a lot of seriousness and hearfelt
emotions. The information is from upanyasams heard and introspection done

Upanayanam is a very special occasion for a brahmin
boy. Not only brahmins, there are others sects which do have this function. It
is considered to be a second birth for a boy child. From this day, he becomes a
brahmachari eligible to learn the vedas, upanishadas and to know the brahman,
the supreme. The right age for the upanayanam is between 8 years and 16 years.
The one year in the womb of a mother is considered to be one year. Hence, when
the boy is 7 years after his birth, he becomes ready for this thread ceremony.
Some say, that odd numbered ages have to be considered. This is only a myth.
This is not mentioned in our shastras. Also, the earlier, the better.
Why? It is said before “kamam” is understood by the child, we have to divert
him towards the supreme knowledge. So, it is always better to get this ceremony
done when the child is before 9 years. It is more apt these days. Children in
this generation ask too many questions. While it is our duty to answer them
satisfactorily, as children grow, this questioning becomes more negative and
argumentative than to know the truth. Hence, it is good to put it at a young
and tender age when the child is still in its innocence.

Born as a brahmin alone is not sufficient. One has to
be strict in his practices. He has to do sandyavandanam everyday three times a
day, samitha danam twice a day, learn vedas, sleep on mat, no sleep during
afternoons, live by bhiksha and many other restrictions. But many of these are
not practical in this kali yuga. If one has to live by what has told by our
shastras, we would not brahmacharis today. So, our gurus insist that at least
the boy does sandyavandanam twice a day and do some basic learning of vedas.
Why does the shastras lay such rigid rules on a small boy. There are always
correct and scientific reasons for all that our shastras say. They are like
mdecial prescriptions, whch may be bitter but cures us from this world of
samsara. We don’t take it in the right sense because of the wrong influence
that we have of the western culture

Doing sandyavandanam has many aspects. Of the many
benefits is that pranayama or deep breathing. These days we spend huge amount
of money on health and fitness. Doing sandyavandanam, helps the boy perform
regular deep breathing which will help him control his senses and negative
emotions. The chanting of the gayathri manthra with clsoed eyes increases the
concenration. Each syllable in this manthra has tremendous vibration which when
chanted with devotion and concentration gives immensed power: physically, intellectually, emotionally and physcologically. But friends,
this chanting comes with a warning. It
is not for ladies, nor for those without initiation. These days, this manthra
is played as a song. We are making a gross mistake. Vedas are chants which are
given to us by great rishis. They were not written but revealed. They chanting
have many ups and low tones, long and short notes in the chanting. They
generate a lot of heat which is not good for physical structure of ladies.
Also, since it is the essence of the vedas, the manthra has to be taught in
secrecy. Chanting it the wrong way will have a negative effect on us. So,
please refrain fro chanting without initiation. If you happen to see it played
as a song or in public, there is no harm is discouraging this act in the open.
You will be doing a service to the society

So, having known the power of this divine act called
sandyavandanam, it is also very sad that the count of children performing this karma
is deteriorating down specially in cities. The function is conducted in a grand
way like a social function, inviting all near and dear, spending lavishly on
every aspect. But the duty aspect is forgotten soon after the function. Reason:
no time. Parents are not serious about encouraging their child. At the first
step, they are not convinced about the importance. The father of the house has
left his duty long back, the mother is busy blaming the father for not
assisting the child. But, my dear parents, just like how both of you take
interest in every aspect of the child right from choosing his play school , it
is the responsibility of both to ensure that the child does his duty. Blame
game will help no one. It should be the true intention of the mother that her
child gets the best and highest knowledge and assist, encourage, and educate
the child in the importance. The father must be regular in doing his duties. I
have some fathers do it just one month before the upanayanam and then maybe for
a month after the function. This wont work. What is not a habit will not work
for long.

I understand that as children grow, they have their own
like and dislikes. Many of the stray away from their track. This is natural. But
we as parents must advice them when they are small. The instruction given when
they are small, will bring them back to their roots even if they change track
in the middle. Gayathri will protect them. She doesn’t like to lose on anyone.
But if parents themselves are casual about it, then GOD save them. One cannot
see the effect fo chanting or non-chanting immediately. It is slow process of
building inner strength. We all wait for 16 to 20 years to see our chlidren in
full bloom, but we don’t want to wait for when it comes to discharging our
duties to see its spiritual powers. So, friends, when it comes to performing
the duties of the child, remember it is the responsibility of both the parents.
Also, grandparents at home also must assist their children in getting these
duties into a habit. Since they are
elders of the family and are more experienced, they must help their children
and grand children to discharging their duties. Claiming to be non-interfering
or indifferent will not only leave children directionless but also set an
example to future generations.

We are all in a busy world, we have time for everything
but not for our spiritual duties. So, many parents tell their children to only
chant at least the Gayathri and not do sandyavandanam. This is a mistake again.
Gayathri cannot be chanted without praying to the sun god, without invoking
Mother Gayathri into you or without inviting saraswati into you. Sandyavandanam
is a very important aspect which cannot be missed

Doing sandyavandanam will not only do good for oneself
but to the society. Brahmins are supposed to do ther duties of sandyavandanam,
samitha danam, bharma yagnam , veda adhayananm for the welfare of the soceity.
If they fail to do such things, the society is bound to persih slowly. “The
reason for our society degrading to a large extent is due to brahmins not doing
their duties”. I am not the author of this statement. Our kanchi maha periva
has elaborated this in the book “Hindu Dharma” in a very beautiful way. Let no
one drive their imagination. I would suggest all of you read this book.

So, friends, I have put down what I felt, what I have
seen, read and experienced. I am sure all of us would want a comfortable,
stress free, happy and peacceful life. Let us get back to where we actaully
belong. Let us not lose the precious gems our rishis and elders have given us
in the pursuit of materialistic, short lived happiness.